Fairchild Challenge: Challenge Four Winners Announced!

By Sahar Arbab

We have the blueprints for the schools of the future!

Imagine a school where fruits and veggies grow on the walls, where columns are made out of fish tanks, where the clocks are made from flowers and branches.  The Fairchild Challenge students proposed these ideas and many more for Challenge #4: Green Up Your School.

The term biophilia suggest that there is a strong bond between humans and other living organisms. Buildings that take on biophilic design principles are designed to connect humans with the natural world by incorporating the patterns, textures, light and temperature fluctuations, visuals and sounds that we experience when we are outdoors. Biophilic design strives to provide the feeling of safety and shelter, while simultaneously letting nature inside of our living and working spaces.

Buildings and nature can come together to create great places to live, work and learn. The entries we received are great examples of these forward-thinking design principles. We were very impressed with the students’ ability to think outside of the box, and come up with designs for their schools that, if created, would foster positive learning environments.

Special thanks to our judges from the following organizations: Pashek Associates, Women for a Healthy Environment, Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority, Green Building Alliance, MTR Landscape Architects and Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens. Thank you for providing your thoughts and expertise!

The judges found that the best entries had these qualities:

Biophilia was clearly understood and defined.

The judges could imagine themselves experiencing and enjoying elements of nature within the buildings.

Students proposed new, innovative ideas that were unique to their schools.

Students paid careful attention to their buildings, and offered both current and proposed design layouts.

The benefits to occupants of the designs were clearly understood and explained.

Nature was not only present, but occupants would have the ability to interact with the various elements.

The ideas presented are clearly explained and the students thought through how they would bring these design ideas to their school.

And the winners are…

Middle School

First: Shaler Area Middle School

Second: The Ellis School

Third: Woodland Hills Academy

Special Merit: Saint Phillip School

High School

First: Shaler Area High School

Second: Gateway High School

Third: Woodland Hills High School

Special Merit: North Allegheny Senior High School

Congratulations to all of the winners! Have questions? Contact Sahar Arbab at sarbab@phipps.conservatory.org or 412-622-6915 x3905.

About the Fairchild Challenge: Developed by the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden in Miami, Fl., and adopted by Phipps as a satellite partner in 2008, The Fairchild Challenge offers a menu of interdisciplinary challenges for grades 6 – 8 and grades 9 – 12, attracting students of diverse interests, abilities, talents and backgrounds. The Challenge empowers young people to engage in civic life and encourages them to become energetic and knowledgeable members of their communities.